Bible Strands
Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Hebrews addresses Jewish Christians tempted to abandon their faith, cataloging historical figures who endured persecution for their loyalty to God. This verse specifically summarizes the violent executions and destitute conditions experienced by those listed in the preceding chapter.
The words — The text uses ἐλιθάσθησαν (elithasthēsan) for "stoned" and περιῆλθον (periēlthon) for "wandered" or "went around," describing both physical execution and forced displacement. These verbs establish the concrete reality of their suffering without elaboration.
The thread — The motif of being "stoned" and "put to death by the sword" parallels the violent opposition recorded in 2 Chronicles 24:21 and Jeremiah 26:23. The theme of wandering in destitution directly connects to the description in Hebrews 11:38 of hiding in deserts, mountains, and caves.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that fidelity to God historically entails severe persecution and social marginalization. It requires the reader to accept suffering as a documented reality of faith rather than a deviation from it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 24:21 But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
- Jeremiah 26:23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.
- 1 Kings 19:10 “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
- 1 Kings 21:13 And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
- 2 Kings 1:8 “He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.
- 1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—
- 1 Samuel 22:17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 18:4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)
- 1 Kings 18:13 Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD, fifty men per cave, and I provided them with food and water.